Valve assemblies principally for automatic swimming pool cleaner

Abstract

Detailed are valves principally useful for automatic swimming pool cleaners. The valves may be made of flexible material and, typically, are generally tubular in shape. Mouths of the valves may be divided into two or more parts, with certain versions having three lobes. These configurations enable larger debris to pass through the valves.

1 . A valve having an inlet and an outlet and comprising a body defining a fluid passage therethrough, the body comprising (i) a flexible wall and (ii) a mouth intermediate the inlet and the outlet, the mouth comprising a plurality of lobes defined by the flexible wall.  
   
   
       2 . A valve according to  claim 1  in which the mouth assumes a substantially closed position absent a pressure differential outside and inside the wall.  
   
   
       3 . A valve according to  claim 2  in which the body has a maximum internal diameter and which, when outside and inside the wall are subject to substantial pressure differential in use, the mouth expands to a diameter approximating that of the maximum internal diameter.  
   
   
       4 . A valve according to  claim 3  further comprising means for connection to one or more components of an automatic swimming pool cleaner.  
   
   
       5 . A valve according to  claim 4  further comprising at least one stiffener formed with or attached to the wall.  
   
   
       6 . A valve according to  claim 5  in which the at least one stiffener is a rib extending longitudinally from adjacent the outlet to adjacent the mouth.  
   
   
       7 . A valve according to  claim 6  in which the body is generally tubular in shape and has an internal diameter that varies along its length.  
   
   
       8 . A valve according to  claim 7  in which the lobes of the plurality of lobes intersect at the transverse center of the fluid passage at an angle other than zero or one hundred eighty degrees.  
   
   
       9 . A valve according to  claim 8  in which the plurality of lobes comprises at least three lobes.  
   
   
       10 . A valve according to  claim 1  in which the lobes of the plurality of lobes intersect at the transverse center of the fluid passage at an angle other than zero or one hundred eighty degrees.  
   
   
       11 . A valve according to  claim 1  in which the plurality of lobes comprises at least three lobes.  
   
   
       12 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising a valve according to  claim 1.